If any neutral was asked who the better player is at their current level - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Raheem Sterling - every single one would agree both are exceptionally talented young players.

The edge may go to Liverpool's Sterling, who looks to have every possibility of developing into a world-class player at just the age of 19.

But where either star will be in their prime is a different matter. Both Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sterling have an equal chance of one-upping one another when it comes to the long term.

Where the Gunners youngster may have an advantage, however, despite being two years older, is his surroundings at the Emirates Stadium.

Right now, for both club and country, Sterling is one of his side's main men. The pressure is well and truly on the 19-year-old to produce at Anfield. If the young forward totally lost his form, the Reds would fare considerably worse.

At Arsenal, though, Oxlade-Chamberlain can afford to play less minutes, meaning less chance of injury or burnout. The 21-year-old can both afford to start when he is needed and sit on the bench when he is not.

Going forward, the Ox gets to work alongside the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and more - learning from them every week.

Tim Poole

Tim Poole is a sports journalist for HITC with a love of football, tennis and snooker in particular.His career to date has seen him speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes, interview snooker world champion Mark Selby and be snubbed by Premier League managers and players in more than one language!He is a massive Roger Federer fan and lives by the motto that 'sport is life.' When he's not writing about it, he's playing it, be it football, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, darts, snooker, golf or even water polo. He is better at some than others...